Question

Low density of ice compared to water is due to:

• A. Dipole - induced dipole interactions
• B. Induced dipole - induced dipole interactions
• C. Hydrogen bonding interactions
• D. None of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is C Hydrogen bonding interactions

Density of ice is lesser than that of water because of the way hydrogen bonds are arranged in the crystalline structure of ice. Ice forms crystals having a hexagonal lattice structure.
When ice is formed, there remains certain empty spaces in the structure of ice. These empty spaces are due to the directional nature of hydrogen bonds. $H_{2}O$ forms a cage like structure in solid ice and the density is reduced.
$H_{2}O$ molecules form a crystal structure that causes the molecules to be more spread out than they were before.
Hence, the volume occupied is more in the case of ice.